Tribulation Scriptural Event
The Tribulation Period is a future, seven-year span of time described in Scripture during which God will pour out His judgment upon a sinful and rebellious world. It is a central component of biblical end-times prophecy and is marked by unprecedented suffering, deception, and divine wrath, but also by God’s continued call to repentance and the eventual triumph of Christ.
The Beginning of the Tribulation
The Tribulation begins when the Antichrist—also called “the man of lawlessness” (2 Thessalonians 2:3)—makes a seven-year covenant with Israel, which he later breaks. This is prophesied in Daniel 9:27:
“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” (Daniel 9:27).
This seven-year period is divided into two halves:
The first 3½ years are marked by relative peace and the rise of the Antichrist.
The second 3½ years, often called the “Great Tribulation” (Matthew 24:21), are filled with intense persecution, natural disasters, and divine judgments.
Key Events During the Tribulation
The Rapture: Many Christians believe that before the Tribulation begins, Jesus will remove all born-again believers from the earth in the event known as the Rapture. Paul describes this in (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17):
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
God’s Judgments: The Book of Revelation outlines a series of escalating judgments—seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls—that bring devastation to the earth (Revelation chapters 6–16). These include war, famine, plagues, and cosmic disturbances.
The Antichrist’s Reign: At the midpoint of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel, desecrate the temple, and demand worship from all people. This is the “abomination that causes desolation” Jesus warned about in (Matthew 24:15).
The Mark of the Beast: Revelation 13 describes how people will be required to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead in order to buy or sell. This mark represents allegiance to the Antichrist:
“It also forced all people… to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark…” (Revelation 13:16–17).
The Purpose of the Tribulation
The Tribulation serves several divine purposes:
To judge the wicked and expose the true nature of sin.
To purify and prepare Israel, leading many to recognize Jesus as the Messiah (Zechariah 12:10).
To demonstrate God’s sovereignty and fulfill His prophetic Word.
The End of the Tribulation
At the end of the seven years, Jesus Christ will return in glory at the Second Coming (Revelation 19:11–16). He will defeat the Antichrist and his armies at the Battle of Armageddon, establish His millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:1–6), and reign on earth for 1,000 years.
A Call to Readiness
Jesus warned His followers to be spiritually prepared:
“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:44).
What happens to Christians during the Tribulation?
During the Tribulation, what happens to Christians depends on the timing of the Rapture, which is understood differently among Bible-believing Christians. However, Scripture is clear that some believers will be in heaven before the Tribulation, while others will come to faith during the Tribulation and face intense persecution.
Let’s walk through this step-by-step, using Scripture to clarify what happens to Christians during this time.
The Rapture of the Church (Before the Tribulation)
Many Christians hold to a pre-tribulation rapture view, which teaches that true believers in Jesus Christ will be taken up to heaven before the Tribulation begins. This is based on passages like:
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven… and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:9).
This view emphasizes that the Church is not destined to endure God’s wrath, which will be poured out during the Tribulation (Revelation 6–18).
Tribulation Saints – Those Who Come to Faith During the Tribulation
Even after the Rapture, many people will come to faith in Christ during the Tribulation. These believers are often referred to as “Tribulation Saints.” They will suffer greatly for their faith, often facing martyrdom under the Antichrist’s rule.
“These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14).
“It also forced all people… to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads… It also gave power to the beast to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them.” (Revelation 13:16–17, 7).
These believers will refuse to worship the Antichrist or take the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:15–17), and many will be killed for their faith. However, their souls will be with Christ, and they will be resurrected to reign with Him (Revelation 20:4).
The Role of the Holy Spirit
Although the Holy Spirit’s restraining influence on evil will be removed (2 Thessalonians 2:7), He will still be present and active, enabling people to come to faith.
“No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5).
“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5).
“These are they who have come out of the great tribulation… Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple.” (Revelation 7:14–15).
This confirms that salvation is still possible during the Tribulation, and the Holy Spirit will be working in the hearts of those who respond to the gospel.
Encouragement and Warning
For those who are in Christ now, the Tribulation is not something to fear. Jesus promises deliverance:
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” (Revelation 3:10).
But for those who have not yet trusted in Christ, the Tribulation is a sobering warning. It will be a time of deception, suffering, and judgment—but also a time of grace for those who turn to God.
In Summary
Before the Tribulation: Many Christians believe they will be raptured and spared from God’s wrath (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
During the Tribulation: Many will come to faith in Christ, but they will face persecution and martyrdom (Revelation 7:14; 13:7).
The Holy Spirit will still be present, drawing people to salvation (John 3:5); (Titus 3:5).
God’s grace remains available, even in the darkest times.
The Tribulation Period is a time of both judgment and mercy. While it will be marked by suffering and deception, it also serves as a final call to repentance before Christ returns to reign. The Bible urges all people to turn to Jesus now!
The Tribulation is both a warning and a call to repentance. As Scripture says:
“Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Let us respond to that call while there is still time.
